Some folks like to say that history is cyclical, and it certainly supports this theory that just as a bunch of young bucks have (once again) come along to say that is getting stale and needs a good dose of high attitude and fuzz-tone energy, -- who've been saying the same thing since 1977 -- have re-emerged to remind the world how this whole "super " thing is supposed to be done. Maybe they don't dress quite as sharp as , or pose as well as , or get worshiped by the British press quite like , but one spin of ' 2003 platter proves that if you wanna get a dance party started, and company are still your finest one-stop shopping place. And perhaps having some fresh competition (not to mention facing the fear of being outclassed by bands fronted by guys who weren't even alive when played their first gigs) has been just what these folks have needed, because is one of the strongest albums to date, boasting material every bit as potent as what they served up on and , and sounding fresh, energetic, and gloriously alive. from produced at his home studio, and the results have a bright, punchy sound that never gets in the way of the reverb and/or fuzz, and the vibe is at once loose and perfectly focused. And from the the -flavored the tribute to 's greatest chord changes, and their ode to living in one of Brooklyn's least-gentrified neighborhoods, have come up with a batch of top-shelf songs that show them to their advantage. It would be silly to say are back, since they never went away, but after 26 years in the game, shows they've still got the -- and if anything, they're getting better at serving it up. Pour yourself a Blue Whale and check this disc out pronto. ~ Mark Deming